Does your cat come running the second they hear the crinkle of a treat bag? We all love spoiling our feline friends with snacks, but have you ever stopped to look at the tiny print on the back of the package? Many store-bought treats are packed with fillers, artificial dyes, and excessive calories that can lead to weight gain and health issues over time. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the endless aisles of colorful boxes, and many owners worry if they are accidentally doing more harm than good.
Choosing the right snack should not feel like a chemistry experiment. Your cat deserves a reward that supports their health rather than just filling their belly with empty calories. You want to provide something that tastes great but also fuels their body with the nutrients they actually need.
In this guide, we will break down exactly what you should look for on a label and which ingredients you should always avoid. You will learn how to spot high-quality proteins and discover simple ways to balance treat time with your cat’s daily diet. By the end of this post, you will feel confident picking out snacks that keep your cat purring, healthy, and full of energy. Let’s take a closer look at how to choose the best healthy treats for your favorite companion.
Top Cat Treats Healthy Recommendations
- STARTS with REAL CHICKEN: Unlike many other brands, these cat treats feature real chicken as the first ingredient to tempt your feline friend
- TWO TEMPTING TEXTURES: Give your cat the best of both worlds – these crunchy cat treats feature a crunchy shell and a delicious creamy center cats can’t resist
- HEALTHY CAT TREATS: BLUE Bursts treats for cats are packed with the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll feel good about giving
- ONLY WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: BLUE cat treats contain NO poultry by-product meals, NO corn, wheat or soy, and NO artificial flavors or preservatives
- Contains One (1) 5-oz bag of BLUE Bursts Crunchy Cat Treats, Chicken
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW SALMON CAT TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Cat Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw cat treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut salmon.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried cat treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our cat treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Cat treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw cat food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and cats with allergies!
- RAW CAT TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- REAL MEAT FIRST: These Blue Buffalo cat treats are made with real chicken as the first ingredient for a taste cats love
- CRUNCHY CAT TREATS: BLUE Wilderness grain-free cat snacks satisfy their wild side with the crunch they crave
- GREAT FOR TRAINING: BLUE Wilderness cat treats are the ideal reward for any feline friend
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These natural cat treats contain no chicken (or poultry) by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- Contains: One (1) 12-oz tub of BLUE Wilderness Crunchy Cat Treats, Chicken Flavor
- Cats Can't Resist: Your cat can't wait to get their paws on these irresistible Temptations cat treats for indoor cats that are crunchy outside and soft inside, so shake the pack and they'll come running for their cat snacks treats
- Under 2 Calories Per Treat: Feel good about rewarding your cat every day because these low calorie cat treats deliver a crunchy treat under 2 calories and can be used as a meal, or cat food toppers
- 100% Complete and Balanced For Adult Cats: Feel great about treating your phenomenal feline with cat supplies that are 100% nutritionally complete and balanced cat food treats for adult cat maintenance
- Convenient Stay-Fresh Tub: Resealable dry cat treats tub makes for easy treating and keeps your cat's paws off when you're not watching
- The Purr-fect Pairing: Try all of our irresistible options that come in a variety of flavors cats come running for
- FROM TOP TO TAIL: Pet Honesty’s Multivitamin for cats is a crunchy, creamy supplement that they’ll think is a cat treat, but you’ll know better. These delicious little bites help boost cat health with big benefits. Not only do these healthy cat treats support overall immune, heart & gut health, they also promote healthy digestion & healthy skin & joints. Our cat food treats are made to help your furry family member live their best life, because that's what they deserve.
- THE INSIDE STORY: Our cat multivitamin is packed with powerful ingredients that support cat health. It's a lysine supplement, an amino acid that helps boost immune & respiratory health. It has omega-3s for cats–fatty acids sourced from salmon oil for cats, flaxseed, & green lipped mussels that support skin, coat, joint, & brain health. It has prebiotics that promote gut + digestive health as well. We pack a lot into our little cat vitamins. They’ll love the taste. You’ll love what they do.
- THEY DESERVE THE BEST: We think your cat deserves nothing less than the very best, and our organic cat treats are just that. But you don’t have to take our word for it. They’re the #1 cat multivitamin on Amazon. *Based on Stackline Atlas Data for Amazon.com and Nielsen data for retail, 52 weeks from December 2023 - November 2024; Comparison of all Multivitamin Products within custom Stackline Cat Supplement Category and Pet Supplements category defined by Nielsen
- DROOL-WORTHY TASTE: Not only do our cat health supplements support your cat’s overall well-being, they’re also a crunchy, creamy supplement that tastes great too! In fact 4 out of 5 cats love the taste. So, in addition to giving your cat something that's good for them, you'll also be giving them something they’ll enjoy. **Based on an independent feeding study. Individual results may vary
- THE HONEST DIFFERENCE: Our products are made with clean, science-backed ingredients for results you can trust, & with no fillers, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, you'll have no doubt your cat is getting the best. Proudly supporting pets in need nationwide & using recycled plastic in our packaging, there's also no doubt that we're committed to doing our best. -- All products are manufactured in the U.S.A. | NASC Member Company
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW CHICKEN HEARTS CAT TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Cat Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw cat treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut chicken hearts.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried cat treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our cat treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Cat treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw cat food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and cats with allergies!
- RAW CAT TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- Support Healthy Digestion: These cat treats for indoor cats with Greenies Fiberblend Formula to help support healthy digestion
- Veterinarian Recommended: Vet recommended natural Greenies chicken flavor cat treats. Made with natural ingredients, plus vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for a nutritionally complete and balanced snack
- Low Calorie Cat Treat: With less than 2 calories per treat, your cat will love each and every bite of these healthy cat treats, and you'll feel great rewarding them
- Crunchy and Creamy Textures: Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, your cat will devour these cat snacks for indoor cats and their delectable dual-texture
- High Quality Cat Treat Recipe: Made with high quality protein to support muscles and less than 2 calories per treat to help maintain a healthy weight
- #1 Veterinarian-Recommended Treat for Cat Dental Care: Feline Greenies Dental Treats for cats are the #1 veterinarian-recommended dental cat snacks that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Crunchy Cat Dental Treat Texture Fights Tartar: Including Greenies cat dental treats into your daily care routine supports 36% less tartar accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Oral Care: This cat dental treat offers clinically proven oral care to help maintain your cat's dental hygiene, and these cat teeth cleaning treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline
- Tasty Cat Treats: You'll surely hear happy purrs of joy as your feline enjoys the delicious taste of a savory salmon-flavored Greenies for cats
- Low Calorie Cat Treat: Less than two calories per cat dental treat, Greenies Cat Treats for indoor cats allow you to treat with confidence
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing Healthy Cat Treats
Choosing the right treats for your cat is important. You want to reward your pet without hurting their health. Many treats on store shelves contain fillers that provide no nutritional value. This guide helps you pick the best healthy options for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, always check the label first. High-quality treats should list a real protein source as the first ingredient. Look for chicken, salmon, or turkey. Avoid treats that list “meat by-products” or “animal digest.” These are low-quality leftovers. You should also look for treats with added vitamins or taurine, which supports heart and eye health.
Important Ingredients to Consider
The best treats rely on simple, natural ingredients. Single-ingredient treats, like freeze-dried chicken, are the gold standard. They contain no preservatives or artificial colors. If you choose treats with more ingredients, ensure they are whole foods. Sweet potatoes, blueberries, and pumpkin are great additions. They provide fiber and antioxidants. Avoid treats with corn, wheat, or soy. These fillers often cause allergies or digestive issues in cats.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Improve Quality: Look for “human-grade” labels. This means the food meets strict safety standards. Freeze-drying is also a great process. It locks in nutrients without using high heat.
- Reduce Quality: Avoid artificial dyes and flavors. Cats do not care about the color of their treats. Bright red or green treats are only for human appeal. Also, stay away from added sugars like molasses or corn syrup. These lead to obesity and dental decay.
User Experience and Use Cases
Healthy treats serve many purposes. They are great for positive reinforcement during training. You can also use them to hide medication. If your cat needs a pill, a soft, healthy treat works perfectly as a disguise. Some treats are designed to help with dental health. These have a crunchy texture that scrapes plaque off the teeth. Always remember that treats should only make up 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Use them sparingly to keep your cat at a healthy weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many treats can my cat eat in one day?
A: Treats should never replace a balanced meal. Keep treats to less than 10% of your cat’s total daily calorie intake.
Q: Are grain-free treats always healthier?
A: Not necessarily. While some cats have grain allergies, high-quality grains like brown rice can be safe. Focus more on high protein content instead.
Q: Can I give my cat dog treats?
A: No. Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs. Dog treats often lack taurine, which is essential for feline heart health.
Q: Are freeze-dried treats worth the extra cost?
A: Yes. They contain no preservatives and keep the natural nutrients of the meat. They are usually the healthiest option available.
Q: Do treats help with hairballs?
A: Some treats include fiber, like pumpkin or cellulose, to help pass hair through the digestive tract. Look for “hairball control” on the label.
Q: Why is my cat refusing their treats?
A: Cats are picky eaters. They might dislike the texture or the smell. Try a different protein source, like switching from chicken to fish.
Q: Should I worry about salt in cat treats?
A: Yes. High salt intake can lead to kidney issues. Always check the nutrition label for sodium levels.
Q: Are soft treats better than crunchy ones?
A: It depends on your cat. Senior cats with dental issues prefer soft treats. Younger cats often enjoy the crunch of dental treats.
Q: How should I store cat treats to keep them fresh?
A: Keep them in an airtight container. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent spoilage.
Q: Can treats cause my cat to gain weight?
A: Yes. If you give too many treats, your cat will consume too many calories. Monitor their weight and adjust their meal portions accordingly.